Húnavatnsþing (Húnavatn’s assembly)
Þorsteinn submitted to jarðarmen (earth ordeal) for the blow Jökull gave Bergur at Skíðastöðum.
More: Bergur the Bold made charges against Jökull at the Húnavatn assembly for the blow struck at the wedding at Skíðastaðir. “Bergur said that he would not accept payment of compensation, and that he would only make peace if Jökull submitted to go under three jarðarmen (arches of raised turf), which was customary after major transgressions, ‘and then behave humbly towards me.’ Jökull retorted that he would rather be taken off by trolls than submit to him in this way. Þorsteinn pointed out that this required some consideration: ‘I will go beneath the jarðarmen.’ Bergur said that this would suffice. The first of the earth arches reached to shoulder height, the second waist height, and the third to the middle of the thigh. Þorsteinn bent under the first arch. Bergur said: “Now I have brought low the man who was the highest in Vatnsdalur.” Þorsteinn retorted: ‘It was quite unnecessary to say that. For that, I will not bend under any more arches.’” Finnbogi the Strong then challenged Þorsteinn, and Bergur the Bold challenged Jökull, to a duel, to take place a week later.
The name of Þingeyrar (Assembly Spit) derives its name from an assembly which was held there during the Old Commonwealth. All traces of the old assembly site are listed as a heritage site, including what is known as the “Judgement Circle” in the grassfield between the church and the old churchyard.